Wrist & hand Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right wrist injury with sensory nerve damage and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as a claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia. The RO found that the veteran's conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on their current manifestations.

The Board denied increased ratings for service-connected residuals of a sprain to the right ring finger, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and traumatic arthritis of the right wrist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disability compensation was properly reduced to a 10 percent rate effective August 30, 1997 due to his incarceration. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current symptoms, including pain and limited motion of her right wrist, do not warrant a higher disability rating than the currently assigned 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right wrist.

The Board determined that the February 1977 rating decision, which assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation for de Quervain's disease of the right wrist complicated by infection with secondary hypertrophic scarring over the abductor longus and radial sensory neuroma, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's second degree burn scars of the left wrist with intermittent itching, as this condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of constant ulceration or marked disfigurement.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current wrist disorder to an incident of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left wrist, including retained foreign body and ulnar neuropathy, warrant a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's postoperative residuals of left wrist fracture, finding that his symptoms and functional limitations warrant this increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dorsal right wrist scar, secondary to ganglion cyst excision, warrants a 20 percent rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board finds that the veteran's arthritis and narcolepsy were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim of service connection for headaches is denied as new and material evidence has not been presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was aggravated by active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal, finding that separation pay should be recouped from his VA disability compensation as required by law. The veteran argued for financial hardship and a delay in initiating recoupment proceedings, but these arguments were not sufficient to overturn the requirement.

The veteran's appeal is about the rating for his service-connected left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The RO has requested additional medical records and will conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of the condition. If the claim is not granted, the veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for reactive airway disease, left leg sensory deficit of the saphenous nerve, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, and left retropatellar pain syndrome. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for gout was not addressed. The RO denied the claim for hypertension in February 1996 and the veteran did not appeal this decision. Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 26, 1984. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee remains pending.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected grenade fragmentation wound to the left arm, and denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine, left shoulder, and right wrist disabilities. The RO had previously granted these conditions with specific disability ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, a low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for these conditions.